Process monitoring and particle characterization with ultrasonic backscattering
US7114375B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 2004 |
| Grant date | Oct 3, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/101
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A fermention process is monitored by detecting ultrasound backscattered from the cells as a function of time. A transducer 46 is placed in a fermentor 30 and transmits ultrasound towards a reflecting surface 50. The transducer receives that portion of the ultrasound which reflects from the reflecting surface 50, as well as that portion of the ultrasound which backscatters from cells 34 between the transducer 46 and the reflecting surface 50. Signals from the transducer are conditioned and subsequently processed to provide output to a controller regarding the status of the fermentation process in real time. The backscattering measurements can be used to determine a growth phase transition, such as the transition between the logarithmic growth phase of the cells and their stationary phase.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.